Sniffing out a Corpse by Enmos

Photography • Macro • posted on Jul 24, 2004

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Description

Thanks for viewing ! Comments are welcome... This is a Sexton beetle, also called burrying beetles, the scientific name is Necrophorus interruptus. Named after their grave-digging habits, the sexton beetles bury dead animals to provide food for their young. They locate these animals by scent using their strangely-shaped antennae, and excavate beneath the carcase until its underground. Once the animal is buried, the female lays her eggs near the carcase. During their early days the larvae are fed by the female with regurgitated meat from the carcase. Later they are able to feed themselves. After consuming the carcase, and completing their three metamorphoses, the larvae pupate under it or nearby. N. interruptus is about 18-22 mm long. I found the information at www.photo-tech.co.uk. I couldnt find anything about the little parasites that are on its body however... any help ? Hope you like and that you arent too digusted by now LOL Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my last upload, "Opening up" !! Many thanks, Enmos

Comments (39)

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WandM

2:08AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Going to a party? ;>) And not on his own! He's so beautiful decorated! Great composed and clear shot.

chrysalide

2:21AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

An excellent shot and macro with nice details and excellent colors. have a good day

Bathlon6

2:26AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

I think i do not stay for dinner!!GSL!!Excellent shot well done!

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addiek

2:54AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Despite his scatological antics, I'd say he's a groovy grub! I love that gravedigger's costume!! LOL

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jcv2

3:17AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

What a remarkable beetle! But they clean up the mess of dead bugs so they do a good job! Strange parasites on its body, it's a world on its own! Very beautiful shot, Jeroen, very impressive and educational what you tell us about it! vote

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creanum

3:22AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

wonderful capture very nice colors......

jimry

4:09AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

A mighty fine macro capture...:)

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Mondwin

4:09AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

romantic and splendid sniffing!!bravo!vote:DDD

PapaGuru

4:25AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Splendid picture again, love the soft light :) Doing my last rounds. The little parasites are most probable parasitic-mites. You can find these mites on lots of, mostly larger, insects.

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RedundantlyAbundant

4:33AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

I am not disgusted, on the contrary I am quite intrigued...this is another amazingly detailed macro! I absolutely love that you spend the time to give us all a little biology lesson!

Pierre59

5:09AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Superbe, excellente macro...VOTE

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sadlers5

5:31AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

it is the life cycle everything has a purpose, remember man that thou are dust and unto dust thou shalt return.......

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SNAKEY

8:08AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

sniff........ sniff........... achchoo!!! Very interesting details my friend and well caught u buggy man.:O))

JohnJarrell

8:21AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Great Macro

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danob

9:40AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Mite..(Sorry) I congratulate you on another facinating subject and superb photography

Michelle A.

9:49AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Indeed, intriguing! Fascinating world of insects....

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Isabelle711

10:49AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

A Very Excellent Macro. :)))

solrac_gi_2nd

11:06AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

No blabla ... just: FASCINATING MACRO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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madame

11:41AM | Sat, 24 July 2004

What a superb macro... magnificent shot !!

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Akinom

12:03PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Awesome! A fascinating beetle with a colourful costume! Compliments, Jeroen!

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tibet2004uk

1:19PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Again, fascinating! Thx for sharing dear! ;)

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gabi_w_z

2:21PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

wow what a wonderful shot!

tenshi_01

2:29PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Kinda creepy, but as always a beautiful shot! Bugs on bugs, who knew! :)

clarita

3:11PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

what I still find QUITE incredible is simple: they are so small in real life, but here HE LOOKS SOOOOOO BIGGGG!!!!

funkandjazz

3:35PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Amazing detail and color!! :)

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Enmos

3:59PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Thank you all for your wonderful comments !! I have to clear up some things i guess... The insect doesnt only look big it is quite big too (well, for an insect lol), its was about 2 cm long. And its doesnt burry (only) dead insects it also burries mice and the likes. I read somewhere that two of them can drag an animal the size of a mouse over a length of approx. 1 meter to find suitable ground to dig in. So they quite strong insects as well :o)

logiloglu

4:04PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

your macros are awesome.again a perfect shot. !!!!!!!!! #:O) !!!!!!!!!!

unzy

6:18PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

Fabulous shot Jeroen and helpful explanation. Wonderful image my friend V

cynlee

8:39PM | Sat, 24 July 2004

oh yeah... he's a cool one!! vultures of the bug world! super shot! :]

andre75

12:33AM | Sun, 25 July 2004

So pretty and yet so nasty. Thanks for the information.